Fly to Munich where on arrival we will transfer you to Passau, located at the confluence of the Danube, surrounded by wooded hills creating a scenic back drop to the city's towers, spires and red-roofed houses. Join your Nicko Cruises ship and after time to settle into your cabin, meet your travelling companions over a welcome drink prior to dinner this evening.

Awake this morning in Linz, with its large main square situated close by the Danube and a quaint old town with its charming cobblestone streets and centuries old buildings that is not only authentic but relaxed in its feel. Enjoy a tour today to Steyr, one of Austria's oldest cities where you can immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere on a guided walking tour.

After breakfast enjoy a guided walking city tour of Vienna, Austria's stylish capital and largest city, characterised by its abundance of beautiful baroque buildings and historic association with music. View the Gothic St Stephen's Cathedral which casts its shadows through narrow cobblestone streets and the Imperial Palace of Hofburg. There will be time for you to explore at your leisure.

Enjoy a morning at leisure as we cruise to Budapest, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Stretching out on both sides of the river, 'The Queen of the Danube' is truly breath-taking. The abundance of sights is immense and there is no other city able to integrate the Danube into the cityscape quite like Budapest does. After lunch onboard enjoy a guided walking tour where you will visit the castle district for the fisherman's bastion and Matthias Church, as well as discovering more about daily life at the market hall. You will also make a photo stop at Gellert Hill, for some impressive views over the city and river.

A morning at leisure to further explore Budapest or just relax onboard before the cruise continues this afternoon.

Arrive into Bratislava this morning, close to the border between Austria and Hungary.  Enjoy a morning city tour starting with a scenic drive to the most iconic landmarks in the Slovakian capital, the Castle, or Hrad which has some wonderful views across the city.  This imposing fortress was once the home of many Hungarian kings and remains a place filled with myths and legends.  The beautifully restored old Town of Bratislava has some wonderful baroque buildings to discover, such as the Redoute, the National Theatre, the Town Hall, alongside palaces dating from the city's Imperial and Royal era.  Enjoy some time at leisure before returning to the cruise.

Morning at leisure on board cruising to Pochlarn situated in Lower Austria. After lunch take a visit to the Benedictine Melk Abbey. For more than a thousand years the Abbey has been the spiritual and cultural centre of Austria, towering above the city on the banks of the Danube. The original Benedictine abbey here was destroyed by fire in 1297 but after being rebuilt, went on to survive both famine and plague throughout the rest of the Middle Ages. Return to the cruise and enjoy dinner whilst sailing back to Passau.

After breakfast, disembark from the cruise and transfer to Munich airport for your flight to the UK.